About Mareel Counselling
Our Guiding Purpose
When it comes to sexuality and relationships, most of the information we have learned is neither true nor helpful.
Our goal at Mareel is to assist people in finding a pathway to their own authentic sexual expression and to have relationships that bring them joy.
This includes supporting clients in other areas of their lives.
We will all show up in our counselling work as the unique and authentic people we are.
How We Started
Lisa worked in the field of sexuality for over 25 years. She decided to found Mareel to work with clients, helping them push back at misinformation.
Over 15 years ago, Tamara generously agreed to join Lisa on the mission as a sex and relationship educator. Now, at Mareel, she serves as a fellow counsellor. Over time, we have welcomed the wonderful Veronika, Manjima, Mason and our interns to our Mareel family.
Our Values
Everyone at Mareel is passionate about pushing back at expectations around sexuality, relationships and gender, in order for our clients to explore who they want to be.
Our core values are compassion, inclusion and non-judgment.
We also believe that therapy can be fun at times!
Our counselling services are located in Vancouver and we are available online to all residents throughout British Columbia.
Meet the Team
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Tamara McKay
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Tamara brings her years as a high school counsellor and sex educator and her expertise with difficult dynamics into her work.
Areas of Focus: Sexuality, relationships, life transitions, JDRF certification in diabetes counselling, pregnancy loss, infertility, postpartum adjustment
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Adults and youth
Availability: after 6 on Wednesday and Saturday mornings (Virtual only at this time)
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Manjima Salim
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Manjima brings her curiosity and experience for all things about sexuality, relationships and neurodivergence to her counselling practice.
Areas of Focus: Sexuality, relationship issues, kink and sexual exploration, systemic issues
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Adults and youth
Availability: currently available Thursdays. Only available for virtual work
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Veronika Tkáčová
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Veronika is familiar with the pain that can accompany difficult life transitions (such as immigration), and how helpful talking to someone can be during any challenging period of life.
Areas of Focus: Trauma, intergenerational trauma, OCD, sexuality and relationship issues
Individual Counselling
Works with: Adults
Availability: available in the afternoons and evenings on Mondays and Thursdays. Only available for virtual work
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Mason Slavner
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Mason bring his passion for relationships of all forms to his work and like to use creative solutions to find new ways break old patterns.
Areas of Focus: Sexuality, relationship issues, non-monogamy, kink, trauma, grief, depression and anxiety.
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Primarily Adults
Availability: Currently available on Fridays from 9am-5pm. Only available for virtual sessions.
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Lisa Shopland-Black
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Lisa brings over 30 years of working in the field of sexuality and relationships to her counselling work.
Areas of Focus: Sexuality, relationships, sexual assault trauma, life transitions
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Adults
Availability: Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 am - 6 pm In Person is only on Tuesdays
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Andriana Bergman
Intern Counsellor- Low Cost
Andriana brings a background in education, domestic violence advocacy, and the private sector to counselling and has worked with children, parents, and individuals across a wide spectrum of mental health, emotional regulation, development, and relationship challenges
Areas of Focus: Sexuality, relationship issues, anxiety, life transitions and stress
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Adults and youth
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Madeleine Downey
Intern Counsellor - Low Cost Counselling
Madeleine bring a profound curiosity about the human experience to the work and her background as a yoga instructor helps her create spaces that nurture self-discovery and personal evolution
Areas of Focus: relationships, sexuality, self-discovery, anxiety, stress, and depression
Individual and Relationship Counselling
Works with: Adults and youth
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Mr Biscuit
Cat
Mr. Biscuit brings snuggling to his therapy practice but only if you give him treats. He uses a Feline-centric Lens for all his work and is a firm believer in the Catriarchy.
Areas of Focus: Himself, treats and birds, himself
Works with: Whomever he feels like
Availability: He currently has no openings as this would interfere with his nap schedule.